The Black Crow

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In the last chapter: Days after his resurrection, Tom summons Philias to him and has some of the blanks filled in about Harry. Though, ultimately not all of his questions are answered, and Phil tells Tom that if he wants to know more he'll just have to meet Harry himself. Tom shuts himself away in his room to think things through. Weeks later, Harry has yet to have heard from Tom, but has been getting constant updates from Philias and even a few of the house elves residing at Riddle Manor. Harry is anxious about seeing Tom and as such has been restless and increasingly distressed. Sirius and Remus noticed and became more and more worried about Harry. Having put it off for long enough, Harry decides to confide in his parents at the next opportunity.

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The passage of time could be a dreadful thing. The soft ticking of iron clock hands and the gentle sway of the pendulum never seemed steady or equally measured out when someone was listening. Harry closed his eyes and attempted to quell the rampant fidgeting of his limbs by purposefully dragging in and out his breaths to be out of sync and much longer than the rhythms of the clock.

As his thoughts quickly bypassed his attempts and consumed his attention once more, Harry sunk his blunt white teeth into the delicate warm flesh of his lower lip and sprang up from his bed to resume his pacing, imagining each step stripping yet another thin layer off the gleaming floorboards.

"Are you absolutely sure that this'll be alright?" Harry hissed into the empty evening air as his cold thin hands wrung together, squeezing as if he could rearrange the bones under his skin.

There was a deep exhalation of air that ruffled a few small black curls atop Harry's head, though the young man paid the disturbance no mind.

As I plainly told you before, it matters little to me whether you tell them or not. It will hardly change anything for me no matter the outcome. Harry huffed in annoyance, thinking that he probably should have gone to Anthony for advice. Instead of an immortal celestial representation of the end of all things. It wasn't easy being mates with Death.

However, if you're asking me about my opinion for what would help you emotionally . . . I hold very little doubt that those two wizards will continue to support you and if their support is so important to you, I'm sure you'll have no trouble gaining their approval. Death added moments later with a slightly begrudging tone.

Harry ceased his pacing and took a bit of comfort in the rare offering of consoling words from his longtime companion.

"You don't think it may be too soon?" Harry inquired tentatively.

If you are going to venture down this path with those two even partially aware, you will need to take action now as things will be changing rather soon.

Harry's attention immediately shifted.

"Why? Do you know something? About Tom?" Harry's questions whipped out and in his distracted state, the temperature in the room suddenly dropped dramatically and the lights overhead waned and flickered for a few moments.

With ease, child, it would serve no one to work yourself up and draw unnecessary attention. Harry exhaled roughly and forced a bit of self-awareness back into his frazzled mind, so he could reign his magic back in. As time went on and Harry grew more and more exhausted and agitated with each day since the resurrection, he found that his carefully maintained control on his magic had also been suffering.

There are no changes yet, but it won't be long now, and you will need to be ready. Death amended, and Harry felt an unexpected wave of respite overshadow his apprehension. He straightened his spine and let his shoulders drop back into his usual refined posture as he took a few steps towards the door.

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